Outdoor education

At Shining Mountain Waldorf School, Outdoor Education is rooted in the belief that nature is one of the best teachers. Our goal is to guide students toward a deeper appreciation of the natural world and an overall respect for all life. We also use intentional experiences in the outdoors to teach the importance of physical fitness, outdoor skills, self-reliance, and compassion.

We teach students the outdoor skills necessary to travel consciously, confidently, and safely through natural landscapes, while nurturing an ethic of care and responsibility toward the Earth. Our program incorporates Leave No Trace principles and adheres to the highest standards of safety and risk management, led by trained instructors who bring expertise in wilderness travel and youth development.

Outdoor education at SMWS progresses across the grades, beginning with playful immersion in the early years and culminating in rigorous backcountry expeditions in high school. Each stage builds on the last—layering skills, strengthening group dynamics, and deepening each student’s relationship with the natural world.

ECE and Lower School

Early Childhood and Kindergarten: Our youngest students spend significant time outdoors each day, in all seasons and weather. They learn through rhythm, repetition, and imaginative play—developing their senses and bodies as they engage with the world around them. Rhythmic walks, nature exploration, and creative play with natural materials help students develop physical resilience, environmental awareness, and a sense of belonging in the landscape. These foundational experiences foster early environmental stewardship and curiosity. Classes go for regular walks on our beautiful campus in north Boulder and visit nearby natural destinations such as Wonderland Lake

Class trips in Grades 1–5

As students grow, so does their relationship with the natural world. Classes begin venturing off campus for field trips to explore natural areas more intentionally. These excursions deepen their observational skills, build group cohesion, and introduce basic fieldcraft. Starting around Grade 3, class teachers organize overnight trips in May that align with the themes of the Waldorf curriculum. These trips often include camping, hiking, team-building activities, and nature-based challenges. They begin to overlap with the goals of the Middle School Outdoor Education program, introducing basic camping techniques, group cooperation, and responsibility in an outdoor setting.

Middle School Outdoor Education Program

Grades 6, 7, and 8

The Middle School Outdoor Education Program integrates age-appropriate outdoor skills with curricular studies in geography, geology, history, and the natural sciences. Each grade takes part in autumn overnight expeditions and winter day trips, which emphasize Leave No Trace ethics, teamwork, self-reliance, and challenge.

Autumn Overnight Trips

  • Grade 6: Car Camping in Rocky Mountain National Park or Peaceful Valley/Camp Dick. Students learn shelter setup, outdoor cooking basics, and wildlife awareness while beginning to understand ecosystems and alpine environments.

     

  • Grade 7: Canoe Expedition on the Colorado River through Ruby–Horsethief Canyon. After a night camping at Saddlehorn Campground in Colorado National Monument, students paddle 25 miles over three days, practicing water safety, paddling techniques, and river camping ethics.

     

  • Grade 8: Backpacking in the Indian Peaks Wilderness. This multi-day trek includes route-finding, map reading, cooking on backpacking stoves, and solo reflection time in nature.

 

Winter Day Trips

  • Grade 6: Snowshoeing and Winter Safety Workshop led by NPS Rangers in Rocky Mountain National Park.

     

  • Grade 7: Cross-country skiing and winter ecology exploration at Eldora Nordic Center.

     

  • Grade 8: Snow science and avalanche awareness class at Brainard Lake.

Outdoor education in High School

Grades 9-12

In high school, students take on more responsibility for trip planning, risk assessment, and group leadership. Outdoor Education becomes a catalyst for personal transformation, leadership, and academic enrichment. High school students take advantage of the nearby Rocky Mountains, as well as natural attractions in Utah and New Mexico. Our high school program includes backpacking expeditions, river journeys, rock climbing, solo experiences, and group camping.

Safety, Leadership, and Stewardship

All trips are guided by experienced faculty and outdoor professionals. Our program aligns with best practices in the field of outdoor education, risk management, and student-led activities, ensuring that each experience is both adventurous and safe.

Through each stage of Outdoor Education at SMWS, our students don’t just learn how to be in nature—they learn how to belong in nature, to appreciate it, and to protect it.

- Sarah Gillis, SMWS Class of 2012 and Sr. Space Operations Engineer at SpaceX

“I feel like one of the really important things that you get out of a Waldorf education is curiosity—curiosity to go and learn and explore what’s out there in the world. I fell into engineering and a path that I don’t think I would have anticipated, but having an arts background where you’re bringing creativity and imagination into problem-solving, there’s a really incredible synergy between those.”

- Sarah Gillis, SMWS Class of 2012 and Sr. Space Operations Engineer at SpaceX

Nature is Essential for Learning